Iraq: Market for Organic Surface Active Agents 2024

Market Size for Organic Surface Active Agents in Iraq

The Iraqi organic surface active agent market surged to $X in 2021, picking up by 19% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption posted a resilient expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Exports from Iraq

In 2021, the amount of organic surface active agents exported from Iraq fell dramatically to X tons, dropping by -56.9% compared with the previous year. In general, exports faced a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 3,384% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, organic surface active agent exports dropped notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 4,915%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons) was the main destination for organic surface active agent exports from Iraq, accounting for a 94% share of total exports. Moreover, organic surface active agent exports to Turkey exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Egypt (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Turkey amounted to -12.8%.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the key foreign market for organic surface active agents exports from Iraq, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 9.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Turkey stood at -8.6%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average organic surface active agent export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, organic surface active agent export price increased by +52.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 44%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Turkey (+4.8%).

Imports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Imports into Iraq

In 2021, the amount of organic surface active agents imported into Iraq expanded sharply to X tons, picking up by 10% on 2020 figures. In general, imports posted strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 117% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, organic surface active agent imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 106%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the main suppliers of organic surface active agent imports to Iraq, together comprising 79% of total imports. These countries were followed by Malaysia, South Korea, India, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 12%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of +43.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Turkey ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) were the largest organic surface active agent suppliers to Iraq, together accounting for 80% of total imports. These countries were followed by Malaysia, Egypt, India, South Korea, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 11%.

Malaysia, with a CAGR of +46.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average organic surface active agent import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 19%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+9.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform